Varicose veins in the legs- this is not just a cosmetic problem that gives a person aesthetic problems. This disease causes several complications, therefore it requires adequate therapy.
Varicose veins are a polyetiological pathology. It occurs due to prolonged sitting, hard work, hormonal disorders, pregnancy, congenital hereditary disorders of the vascular wall. The veins on the legs lose their elastic properties, when overflowing with blood they stretch, the valve apparatus begins to work poorly.
Valves are important structural units of veins. Normally, it closes after the circulation of blood and does not allow it to flow back to the peripheral vessels. Therefore, the flow of blood through the veins is conducted towards the heart. When the valve stops working normally, blood flows back to the lower limbs and stagnates there.
With blood stagnation, the vein wall expands, which worsens the problem. The valve parts move away from each other, varicose veins on the legs enter the second stage.
Etiology of varicose veins
What causes varicose veins and how does it manifest itself? First of all, pathology is associated with genetic disorders and the patient's gender. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with varicose veins, because they constantly experience hormonal changes, they give birth, they walk in high heels.
Here is a brief description of the main causes of varicose veins:
- genetic predisposition. Varicose veins are not directly inherited, but some structural features of the vessels contribute to the development of the pathology. The connective tissue in the vein wall becomes weak, congenital changes in the valve are noted, which leads to poor closure. Because varicose veins in the legs are often diagnosed in young people of both sexes who actively spend time, there are cases of the development of the disease in children. Modern research argues that the etiology of the disease is most often linked to genetics.
- Hormonal causes. On different days of the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, some endocrine disorders in women, congestion in the lower part of the legs is observed. Special attention is needed for periods of life such as puberty, childbirth, the time after the birth of a baby, menopause and menopause. Women are advised to check the veins in their legs 2-3 times more often than men. Scientists believe that congestion and varicose veins in the legs are associated with progesterone activity. This hormone is produced at the end of the monthly cycle and throughout pregnancy. Estrogen produced in the first half of the cycle prevents varicose veins.
- Sedentary work, low physical activity, activities that require prolonged standing. All these factors can also trigger varicose veins in the legs.
- Age. Vein valves, like all organs, wear out over the years. Therefore, varicose veins on the legs are more often diagnosed in adults and the elderly.
- Obesity. Extra pounds significantly increase the pressure on the legs, which causes congestion and weakness of the veins.
The secondary form of varicose veins occurs in people who have suffered injuries, have pathologies of the liver and spleen, and have heart defects. When diagnosing such a problem, they first treat the underlying pathology, and then turn to varicose veins.
Stages of varicose veins
With varicose veins on the legs of each other, three stages are replaced in succession:
- Reparation. The patient is not worried about anything, large disproportionate veins on the legs are detected during the medical examination.
- small compensation. The patient complains of strange sensations in the legs ("running ants", leg cramps at night, tired legs). In the evening, swelling on the ankles is revealed, in the morning they disappear. During the examination, enlarged veins due to varicose veins are clearly visible.
- Decompensation. This stage is characterized by all the previous features. In addition, dermatitis, eczema, itching that irritates the skin combined. During the examination, the doctor notes the dryness and shine of the skin on the legs, its fusion with fibers. Often areas of hyperpigmentation are visible, they occur after minor bleeding, due to the breakdown of hemosiderin.
Varicose veins on the legs develop for a long time, initially they are not considered a dangerous pathology. As decompensation progresses, many complications can appear. They are the ones who should warn patients, because they can end up with disability and even death.
Early symptoms
Early manifestations of varicose veins in the legs:
- Limbs get tired all the time
- Edema occurs in the middle or at the end of the day
- Legs often feel heavy
Over time, with varicose veins, spider veins form on the skin, veins begin to appear, then they become dense. These symptoms indicate poor blood flow.
The main signs of progressive varicose veins in the legs
Manifestations of varicose veins vary in different stages. At first, it's just spider veins or protruding veins. Then there are more serious and severe symptoms.
The main manifestations of varicose veins:
- Pain in the lower part of the leg, heat in the leg, especially in the course of the veins.
- Constant heaviness.
- Swelling that gets worse towards the end of the day.
- Cramps, especially at night.
- Obvious expansion of veins, they become visible under the skin.
- Dark skin color, dense area, trophic ulcers.
If early signs of varicose veins are detected, treatment should be started immediately. The problem doesn't go away by itself, it just grows.
To better imagine the signs of the early stages, they can be seen in the photo.
Diagnosis of varicose veins in the legs
To correctly diagnose varicose veins on the legs, the doctor must take into account not only the examination data and the patient's complaints. He appoints a series of additional examinations to confirm the presence of the problem and determine the stage. The most informative method:
- Duplex vein scanning (ultrasound). This method allows you to determine how dilated the veins are, where the blood moves through them, whether there are blood clots (blood clots) in their lumen.
- Contrast venography. Using this technique, the degree of increase in the lumen of the vein, the characteristics of the passage of blood through the vessel are determined.
The diagnosis of varicose veins in the legs is the responsibility of a phlebologist. Only specialists with high experience and qualifications can identify pathologies in deep vessels.
How the disease develops and what are the complications
Varicose veins, in most situations, are complicated by thrombosis and thromboembolism, vein inflammation, and trophic disorders. Complications are diagnosed by changing the color of the skin, redness (especially along the veins), becoming blue, the appearance of hyperpigmented areas, pain, etc.
From the very beginning, the ankles and the lower part of the legs begin to swell, this symptom is more noticeable after staying in an upright position for a long time. Pain during movement appears in the calf, along the course of the vein itself. Seals are felt in various parts of the legs under the skin; in severe cases, trophic ulcers are detected.
How to prevent varicose veins
With a hereditary tendency or early manifestations of varicose veins on the legs, some preventive measures must be taken:
- Shoes should always be comfortable, with little or no heel.
- If a strong load comes, they put a bandage on the limb or wear compression underwear, but only after consulting a doctor first.
- You can't stand or sit for a long time, you need to change your posture and move more often.
- Hot showers are contraindicated, especially in the morning. It is better to swim under a contrast shower.
- Smoking has a great negative effect on blood vessels, this bad habit must be abandoned.
The main preventive measure is reasonable physical activity. It is recommended to spend a few minutes in the morning exercising, cycling, swimming, walking more.
Prevention of varicose veins in the legs in pregnant women
During the period of childbirth in women, the possibility of varicose veins on the legs increases. This phenomenon is associated with the following reasons:
- Hormonal restructuring of the body during pregnancy causes varicose veins and stagnation, blood flows poorly from the legs.
- In the second half of pregnancy, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which makes it difficult for blood to flow from the veins of the lower body.
- Varicose veins in the legs after childbirth either disappear completely on their own, or begin to grow. This is due to individual factors and heredity.
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs
Treatment of varicose veins in the legs begins only when the progress of the main manifestations of the pathology is noted.
Some people go to the doctor because of cosmetic defects. Varicose veins on the legs do not look very aesthetic and I would like to eliminate this nuisance.
The following are effective modern methods for treating varicose veins on the lower legs:
- Sclerotherapy. This technique is used as a separate treatment method, or combined with conservative methods. A special substance that causes vascular sclerosis is injected into the lumen of the vein with a needle. The vein stops working and is done. To achieve results, 3-6 sessions are carried out, every 7 days. The treatment is completed without scarring and scar formation.
- Non-surgical treatment. With subcompensation of varicose veins on the legs, minor clinical symptoms and the absence of significant discomfort, it is recommended to use compression underwear. Socks, leggings or tights are worn every day. Underwear compresses dilated veins, narrows their lumen, improves valve function and blood flow, and relieves the main symptoms of varicose veins.
- Medicines for the treatment of varicose veins. Drug therapy can fight the symptoms of varicose veins. Drugs reduce pain, relieve swelling, slow down the development of pathology, but they do not cure it completely, do not restore vascular function.
- Laser treatment. The use of laser therapy is advised for superficial varicose veins on the legs. When the laser is applied to the vein, the sclerotic process begins to develop in it. Then it resolves in the same way as with the introduction of drugs or surgical removal.
You can prevent varicose veins and further development with the help of sports. Fast or moderate walking, special gymnastics, swimming and water exercises help well. Jumping, tennis, weight lifting are contraindicated in such conditions.
What is venotonic
Medicines such as venotonics increase the tone of the smooth muscles of the vein walls. From this, the elasticity of the blood vessels is preserved and improved, the outflow of blood from the lower part of the leg is established. The most popular tools from this group:
- Medicines containing flavonoids that act as venotonics. These ingredients are considered to be one of the most effective, as they also increase the tone of the blood vessel walls.
- French medical company. The main active ingredient is bioflavonoids (600 mg). The higher the dose of the drug, the more effective it works. This tool reduces the stretch and permeability of the vascular walls (including capillaries), and also increases the outflow of blood.
- The drug, which includes escin, is an ingredient obtained from chestnuts. The release form of the drug is drops and tablets for oral administration. This medicine is used not only for the treatment of varicose veins in the legs. It relieves swelling and pain after injuries, sprains, it is also used for some other diseases.
Most venotonics have a complex effect. They affect the entire vascular system, the condition improves significantly after treatment.